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Landsvirkjun Preparation stage of the Þeistareykir Geothermal Power Station assessed

July 10, 2017

The preparation stage for the Þeistareykir Geothermal Power Station has mostly been successful and in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. These are the findings of an assessment report which has now been published and can be accessed here.

The assessment of the Þeistareykir Geothermal Power Station is part of the testing process for a Geothermal Sustainability Assessment Protocol (GSAP) which is being developed in cooperation with the National Energy Authority, Landsvirkjun, OR, HS Orka and the Environment Agency of Iceland. The methodology is based on the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol which was developed by hydropower companies, several nation states, non-governmental organisations and financial institutions and has been used internationally.

Joerg Hartman is an independent consultant and an accredited assessor of the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol. He is very familiar with Landsvirkjun's operations as he participated in the sustainability assessment of the preparation stage for the Hvammur Hydropower Station in 2012 and the assessment of the operational stage for the Blanda Hydropower Station in 2013. The Blanda Hydropower Station was subsequently awarded the IHA Blue Planet Prize at the World Hydropower Congress as a result of this assessment.

The results of the assessment indicate that the preparation process at the Þeistareykir Geothermal Power Station has generally been carried out in accordance with the international criteria for sustainable development, according to the sustainability indicators set out by the Protocol. Of the 17 indicators evaluated, 11 received the highest achievable score or "proven best practice". The project is therefore considered exemplary in areas such as communication and consultation with stakeholders and the utilisation of the geothermal resource.